Lois Larson
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers does not appear to be shutting down. In fact, the airport served more than 11 million passengers in 2024 and is expanding its terminal to improve efficiency and provide passengers with more amenities and options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Southwest Florida International Airport |
| Airport Code | RSW |
| Operator | Lee County Port Authority (LCPA) |
| Year of Certification | May 1983 |
| Number of Passengers Served in 2024 | More than 11 million |
| Ranking in the U.S. | One of the top 50 |
| Non-stop Service | 72 destinations by 15 air carriers |
| Current Status | Operational |
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What You'll Learn
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) expansion plans
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is undergoing a major expansion to improve efficiency and provide passengers with more amenities and options. The airport is located in the South Fort Myers area of unincorporated Lee County, Florida, and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports, serving over 11 million passengers in 2024.
The expansion plans include the construction of a new concourse, Concourse E, with 14 initial gates and the infrastructure to support 19 gates in the future. This new concourse will also include a new Transportation Security Checkpoint, expanded retail and food and beverage concessions, and airside improvements. The existing main terminal will also be expanded on all three levels, with a new ticketing lobby and Bag Claim area, and a new Baggage Handling System. In total, more than 164,000 square feet of space will be remodelled and 117,000 square feet of new walkways and concession space will be added. The expansion project is expected to be completed and operational in 2025, with Phase 1 of the project costing an estimated $331 million.
The project is being funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs), airport revenue bonds, and construction grants from the Lee County Port Authority (LCPA). FDOT provided $77.9 million of funding, while LCPA granted $224.9 million. The expansion is expected to help the airport accommodate the increased passenger traffic that has reached pre-Covid levels of more than ten million passengers per year.
However, the project has encountered significant delays, with the original completion date set for October 2024. As of February 2024, the project was more than four years behind schedule and hundreds of millions of dollars over budget. The delays have been attributed to design-related issues and challenges with the construction manager and firm. Despite these setbacks, the Lee County Port Authority is committed to recovering as much time as possible and getting the project back on schedule.
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RSW's commitment to commercial air service
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers is committed to providing the region with commercial air service. The airport, operated by the Lee County Port Authority (LCPA), is one of the newest in the nation, having been certified for operation in 1983. RSW served over 11 million passengers in 2024 and is focused on offering convenience, comfort, and an exceptional travel experience.
RSW provides non-stop service to 72 destinations through 15 air carriers. The airport is expanding its terminal to improve efficiency and provide passengers with more amenities and options. This expansion reflects RSW's commitment to enhancing the travel experience for the millions of passengers who pass through each year.
The Lee County Port Authority, which operates RSW, encourages its employees to bring their unique experiences to the organization, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. This contributes to the airport's overall goal of providing an exceptional travel experience.
The airport's expansion and focus on efficiency ensure that RSW can continue to provide commercial air service to the region. By improving airport operations and increasing capacity, RSW reinforces its commitment to being a reliable and convenient option for travellers in Southwest Florida and beyond.
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RSW's exceptional travel experience
There are no indications that Fort Myers Airport is shutting down. In fact, the airport, denoted by the code RSW, is expanding its terminal to improve efficiency and provide more amenities and options for travellers.
RSW is focused on offering an exceptional travel experience to the millions of passengers who pass through the airport each year. Located in Fort Myers, Southwest Florida, RSW is one of the newest airports in the United States, having been certified for operation in 1983. The airport is committed to providing convenient, comfortable, and efficient air service to the region.
RSW offers nonstop service to 72 destinations through 15 different air carriers. The airport served more than 11 million passengers in 2024, making it one of the top 50 airports in the country.
The Lee County Port Authority (LCPA), which operates RSW, ensures that all areas of the Main Terminal are open to the general public. However, entry to Concourses B, C, and D requires a valid boarding pass, proper identification, and clearance through the TSA Security Checkpoint.
With its beautiful setting and focus on convenience and comfort, RSW strives to provide an exceptional travel experience for all its passengers. The airport's expansion plans further demonstrate its commitment to enhancing the travel journey and meeting the needs of its millions of annual passengers.
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RSW's 11 million passengers in 2024
As of April 2024, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers is on track to serve 11 million passengers in 2024. The airport has seen strong passenger numbers in 2024, with 1,133,256 passengers travelling through the airport in April, a 15% increase compared to April 2023. This was the second-best April in the airport's 41-year history.
The first four months of the year are typically the busiest for RSW, and this year was no exception, with five consecutive months of a million or more passengers. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 23%, and the airport is on pace to surpass 11 million passengers for the year.
In December 2023, RSW set a record for passenger traffic, with over 1,000,000 passengers travelling through the airport. This was only the third time in the airport's history that it had crossed the 1,000,000 passenger mark in December, with the previous occasions being in 2021 and 2019. The strong passenger numbers in 2024 follow a year of recovery for Southwest Florida after Hurricane Ian.
Delta Airlines was the commercial airline that carried the most passengers to and from RSW in 2023, with 2,154,474 passengers, representing 21.40% of the market. With RSW serving more than 10 million passengers in 2023, the airport is well-positioned to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and is on track to surpass that number in 2024.
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RSW's ranking as a top 50 US airport
RSW in Fort Myers has been ranked as the No. 1 airport overall in the US, according to Travel Lens. The ranking was based on the 50 busiest US airports and a range of factors, including wait times, passenger satisfaction levels, Google review ratings, and CO2 emissions.
RSW, or Southwest Florida International Airport, secured a passenger satisfaction rating of 846/1,000, the fourth highest in the US. The average wait time at the airport is 16 minutes, the 28th shortest in the country. The airport also boasts a Google Review Rating of 4.5/5, the fourth highest in the US, alongside San Jose and Portland International Airports. In terms of CO2 emissions per passenger, RSW produces 79g/km, the second lowest in the US.
RSW covers 13,555 acres, making it the third-largest airport in the US in terms of land. However, it is not as busy as some of the major airports in the country. Its 'easy navigation' and 'efficient security' have been highlighted as likely contributors to its high ratings. RSW is also considered the best airport in North America for not having bottlenecks, with streamlined queues and short wait times.
While RSW may not be a major airline hub, it does see some of the most traffic of any Floridian airport. In 2022, it was the fifth busiest airport in Florida, serving just over 10 million passengers. In 2024, the airport saw just over 11 million passengers, a nearly 10% increase from the previous year.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers is not shutting down. In fact, the airport is expanding its terminal to improve efficiency and provide passengers with more amenities and options.
Southwest Florida International Airport is focused on providing convenience and comfort in a beautiful setting.
The airport provides nonstop service to 72 destinations through 15 air carriers.
The airport served more than 11 million passengers in 2024 and is one of the top 50 airports in the US.
